British folk rock developed in the mid to late 1960's in the wake of Bob Dylan's experiments with electified instrumentation, and was also influenced to some extent by the success of the hybrid Dylan/Beatles sound of The Byrds and the new country rock of Gram Parsons. Bands such as Fairport Convention, Steeleye Span and Pentangle came up with their sound by using a similar approach within a traditional British folk framework, an approach which tends to limit it's appeal in terms of the originality of the songwriting.

There are exceptions, of course, one such being Richard Thompson, a writer whose dark insight has built him a devoted following since he left the Fairports in 1971. His contemporary Sandy Denny, author of the whistful classic Who Knows Where The Time Goes? showed herself to be a fine songwriter before her tragic early death. Another who stands out is Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson, who is probably best remembered for 1969's Living In The Past, but betrays distinct folk influences in songs such as Ring Out, Solstice Bells and Songs From The Wood.

Many would not place The Housemartins or The Beautiful South within this category, but Paul Heaton, the founder of both bands, regards himself as a folk singer, and has written a string of often irreverent but always beautifully-crafted gems with Stan Cullimore and David Rotheray.

In Ireland the songs of Christy Moore are acknowledged to have been a major influence on supergroup U2, who, although widely regarded as rock band, are rooted in Irish folk. Moore also influenced The Pogues and in particular Shane MacGowan, whose Fairytale Of New York, written with Jem Finer, is a now modern classic as recognisable as any of the great Christmas songs of the past.

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